GB2428367A

GB2428367A - Finger sheath

Info

Publication number: GB2428367A
Application number: GB0514733A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helen Searle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-19
Filing date: 2005-07-19
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Also published as: GB0514733D0

Abstract

A flexible, elongate, sheath, for covering one or more fingers of a user, comprises a first, closed end portion 12 for overlying a user's fingertip, the first end being reinforced so as to prevent piercing of the sheath by the or each finger; a second, open end 14 defining an aperture for receiving a user's finger, the second end terminating in the region of a base of the or each finger; and a retaining means 20 for retaining the sheath on the or each finger. The sheath may be provided with a protrusion 22 adjacent the second, open end 14 for facilitating removal and application of the sheath.

Description

A SHEATH

This invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to a sheath for covering one or more fmgers of a user.

An increase in sexual awareness by both sexes means that men and women have a greater tendency to experiment sexually.

One type of such experimentation includes stimulation of the male prostate gland or so-called male "G-spot". Stimulation of the prostate gland involves the insertion of one or more fingers into a male's anus to locate the prostate gland.

Massaging the gland can lead to increased arousal and a more intense orgasm.

One problem with such activity is the transfer of faeces and other bacteria from the anus to the finger or fingers of the person doing the stimulating. Such contamination can lead to contamination of, e.g. other parts of the person's body.

It is known to provide a sheath or condom for use on a male penis to prevent the transmission of bodily fluids between one person and another during sexual intercourse.

However, a condom is ill-suited to use in stimulating the male prostate gland because it has a tendency to become removed from the or each fmger of a wearer as he or she removes it from the anus.

In addition, a condom is liable to become perforated by a finger of the person doing the stimulating, thereby allowing contamination of the finger with faeces or bacteria.

Therefore it is a general aim of the invention to provide a sheath, for covering at least one finger of a user, which reduces the likelihood of subsequent contamination of a user by faeces or bacteria from the anus.

According to the invention there is provided a flexible, elongate, sheath, for covering one or more fingers of a user, comprising: a first, closed end portion for overlying a user's fingertip, the first end being reinforced so as to prevent piercing of the sheath by the or each finger; a second, open end defining an aperture for receiving a user's finger, the second end terminating in the region of a base of the or each finger; and a retaining means for retaining the sheath on the or each finger.

Maintaining the integrity of the sheath helps to ensure that the user's finger or fingers remain free of faeces and bacteria, thereby reducing the likelihood of infection arising from the transmission of such materials.

The inclusion of a retaining means helps to reduce the likelihood of the sheath becoming removed from the or each finger during use.

Preferably the first end has a greater thickness than the remainder of the sheath so as to provide a desired degree of reinforcing. Increasing the thickness of the first end is a convenient way of reinforcing the sheath that is readily manufacturable.

Optionally the retaining means is or includes an elastic ring extending around the aperture of the second end. The elastic ring is able to more tightly grip the or each finger than the remainder of the sheath, thereby providing a desired degree of resistance to removal.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sheath further includes a protrusion adjacent to the open end, the protrusion being for facilitating removal of the sheath from the or each finger of a user. Preferably the protrusion is or includes a tab.

A protrusion or tab allows a user to use, e.g. a finger and thumb of his or her other hand to remove the sheath. The user is able to do so without touching the remainder of the sheath which may have become contaminated with faeces or bacteria.

In addition. pulling of the protrusion or tab encourages the sheath to turn inside out, thereby trapping any faeces or bacteria. This makes subsequent disposal easier than, say, a condom on which the contaminants remain exposed.

Preferably the sheath further includes a lubricant on at least one, in use, external surface thereof.

The inclusion of a lubricant aids insertion of a user's finger or fingers into the anus, as well as increasing the pleasure experienced by the person being stimulated.

There now follows a brief description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in rhich.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of a sheath according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows a perspective view from below of the sheath shown in Figure 1.

A flexible, elongate, sheath according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

The sheath 10 has a first end portion 12 that is closed. The first end portion 12 is thicker than the remainder of the sheath 10, thereby reducing the likelihood of the sheath 10 becoming pierced by, e.g. a user's fingertip or fingernail. Other embodiments of the invention may include differing reinforcing means such as a rigid cap from which the remainder of the sheath may depend.

A second end 14 of the sheath 10 defines an aperture 16 for receiving a user's finger 18. In other embodiments of the invention the aperture 16 and sheath 10 may be capable of receiving two or more fingers 18 together. Manufacturing the sheath 10 from a flexible material would allow such accommodation of two or more fingers 18.

The sheath 10 includes a retaining means in the form of an elastic ring 20 which extends around the aperture 16. In the embodiment shown the elastic ring 20 is formed integrally with the sheath 10. In other embodiments of the invention the elastic ring 20 may be separate from the sheath 10.

The elastic ring 20 has a higher elastic modulus than the remainder of the sheath 10. As a result the elastic ring 20 is able to grip the base of a wearer's finger so as to reduce the likelihood of the sheath inadvertently becoming removed during use.

In another embodiment of the invention the sheath 10 may fit tightly against a user's finger so as to resist removal.

Further embodiments of the invention may include a frictional coating on an inner surface (not shown) of the sheath 10 so as to reduce the likelihood of the sheath 10 becoming removed during use.

A protrusion in the form of a tab 22 protrudes from the sheath 10 adjacent to the second end 14.

The sheath 10 includes a lubricant (not shown) on an exterior surface 24 thereof.

Furthermore, the sheath may be produced in a variety of colours according to user's tastes.

The sheath of the invention may be used by either a man or woman. For the sake of conciseness the following passages of description refer to use by a woman.

In use a user places the sheath 10 over her finger 18 so that the first, closed end portion 12 overlies her fingertip 26. Other embodiments of the invention may be used to cover two or more fingers 18 together.

The user adjusts the sheath 10 so that the elastic ring 20 lies adjacent to a base 28 of her finger 18. In this way the elastic ring 20 grips the user's finger and is able to resist subsequent movement over the user's knuckle 30. This reduces the likelihood of the sheath 10 coming off and exposing the user's finger 18 as it is removed from an anus (not shown).

During stimulation of a prostate gland the sheath 10 isolates the user's finger 18 from faeces and bacteria.

Following stimulation of the prostate gland the user removes her finger 18 from the anus to allow for removal of the sheath 10.

The user grips the tab 22 to remove the sheath 10, causing the sheath to turn inside out as she does so, thereby trapping any faeces or bacteria within the furled sheath 10.

The user is then able to conveniently dispose of the sheath 10 without contaminating any part of her body with faeces or bacteria from the anus.

As an alternative to the use outlined above, the sheath of the invention could also be used during examination of the prostate gland, for e.g. medical purposes.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A flexible, elongate, sheath, for covering one or more fingers

of a user, comprising: a first, closed end portion for overlying a user's fingertip, the first end being reinforced so as to prevent piercing of the sheath by the or each finger; a second, open end defining an aperture for receiving a user's finger, the second end terminating in the region of a base of the or each finger; and a retaining means for retaining the sheath on the or each finger.
2. A sheath according to Claim I wherein the first end has a greater thickness than the remainder of the sheath so as to provide a desired degree of reinforcing.
3. A sheath according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the retaining means is or includes an elastic ring extending around the aperture of the second end.
4. A sheath according to any preceding claim wherein the sheath further includes a protrusion adjacent to the open end, the protrusion being for facilitating removal of the sheath from the or each finger of a user.
5. A sheath according to Claim 4 where the protrusion is or includes a tab.
6. A sheath according to any preceding claim further including a lubricant on at least one, in use, external surface thereof.
7. A sheath generally as herein described with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.